The Chase Brass and Copper Company of Waterbury, Connecticut, was founded in 1876. Throughout most of its early existence Chase was a major producer of industrial brass and copper products. But during the 1930’s, the company developed and marketed a line of housewares and gift products sold through major retail department stores across the country. Although most items in the product line were available in a variety of finishes, the chrome plated versions predominated. Many Chase products boasted the clean, modern style so prevalent during that era … a style we have come to call moderne or art deco. Chase commissioned many big-name industrial designers of the era to develop products for the line including Walter von Nessen, Russell Wright, Ruth Gerth, Lurelle Guild, and Rockwell Kent, representative of some of the best design talent available at the time. The company also employed talented in-house designers such as Harry Laylon.